1. The Wildboar in France:
Population
and
Regulation
Christian Le Coz
Ministère de l’écologie, du développement durable,
et de l’énergie

2. WILD BOAR POPULATION
* Wildboars can be found nearly everywhere in France.
* The total population of wildboars is estimated at 1,8-2 millions heads.
Strong and steady growth during the past 40 years.
* The highest densities can be found in the north-east quarter, and in the mediterranean area (Corsica included).

4. Total numbers of wildboars shot per annual hunting season
(*) source : Hunting and wild fauna national commission (ONCFS)

5. Causes and consequences
* during the sixties the wildboar population was low, since then hunters wanted to enhance its dynamic (artificial fooding, selective shooting).
* For the last 10 years, each local hunting federation has complete control regarding hunting program and fooding of wild game. --
* Wildboars damages to agriculture : 32 millions euros per year (paid by the national association of hunters)
* impact on biodiversity and animal health yet to be determined (studies in progress).
* collisions with vehicules : around accidents per year (300 with injuries).

6. Wildboar population control
* Hunting is allowed by law from september untill the end of february.
* Wildboars releases in the wild must be authorised by local administration.
* « Early hunting » can be authorised by administration from the 1st of june.
* If classified as pest in the district by the local administration, wildboars can be shot during the month of march. Trapping is forbidden.
* Local administration can also organize « administrative destruction » targeted on a specific area for a short duration.
(1 % of the wild boars killed each year).

7. Wildboar population control
* National action plan but too general.
* This plan is declined in the 100 « départements » (= a county in GB) by the departemental associations of hunters.
* very conservative management by the departemental associations of hunters in their plan and local associations in the hunting instructions
* No possibilities in french law to impose quotas

8. CONCLUSION
- Steady growth of wildboar population for the last 40 years.
- Steady growth of wildboars shot during the hunting season.
- Strong heterogeneity regarding populations management on the field.
- Growth of agricultural damages and road accidents.
- How to mobilize even more the hunters regarding the regulation?

9. Thank you for your attention.
FIN
Thank you for your attention.